10 Fun And Fascinating Facts About The 4th Of July

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10 Fun And Fascinating Facts About The 4th Of July

Here are 10 fun and fascinating facts about the 4th of July to spark some patriotic pride:

1. The Declaration Wasn’t Signed on July 4th
The Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, but most delegates didn’t sign it until August 2, 1776.

2. Fireworks Have Been a Tradition Since 1777
The first Independence Day celebration with fireworks took place in Philadelphia in 1777, just one year after the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

3. The Liberty Bell Wasn’t Rung on July 4th
The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is often associated with Independence Day, but it wasn’t rung on July 4, 1776. In fact, it’s unclear if it was rung at all that summer due to its fragile condition.

4. Hot Dogs Are a Big Deal
Americans consume about 150 million hot dogs on the 4th of July each year. That’s enough to stretch from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times!

5. Three Presidents Died on July 4th
Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. James Monroe also passed away on July 4, 1831.

6. The 4th of July Wasn’t a Federal Holiday Until 1870
While Americans celebrated Independence Day for decades, it wasn’t declared a federal holiday until 1870. It became a paid federal holiday in 1938.

7. The Original National Bird Was Almost a Turkey
Benjamin Franklin famously argued that the turkey would make a better national bird than the bald eagle, calling the eagle a “bird of bad moral character.”

8. The Largest Fireworks Display in the U.S.
The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks in New York City is the largest fireworks display in the country, featuring over 65,000 shells launched from barges on the East River.

9. The First 4th of July Party at the White House
The White House hosted its first Independence Day celebration in 1801, during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency.

10. The U.S. Flag Has Changed 27 Times
The current 50-star flag was adopted on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state. Before that, the flag had 48 stars for nearly 50 years.

Which of these fun facts surprised you the most? 🎆🇺🇸